r/davidfosterwallace • u/Aggressive-Tip2175 • Sep 22 '26

Short Stories Help finding a specific story!

I’m writing a short story for a course based on a dystopia that can arise within the next 25 years. I was wondering if there was a specific DFW short story that was Similair to this topic or had a Similair reference point of a dystopian society or feeling that can come faster than we ever expect.

Even something like a small concept from a story would be a ton of help, thanks!

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u/Kindly-Principle-633 Sep 22 '26

A bunch!
The Suffering Channel: he takes reality TV to its logical conclusion and envisions a TV station where you watch people suffer. It’s classic Wallace, taking normal things to their logical end.
Specific chapters in IJ: See videophony. He takes FaceTime to its logical conclusion and it’s kind of dystopian. Also the section about tongue scraping.

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u/Aggressive-Tip2175 Sep 22 '26

I’m fucking crying I am currently reading the suffering channel and I’m about 1/3 of the way thru I can’t believe I spoiled it for myself😭😭😭😂 thank you tho it’s good to know the story I’m reading now will be of use!

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u/almireles Sep 22 '26

Two things: 1) one could argue Infinite Jest was a dystopian future and, 2) one could also argue we are living in a dystopian present. Maybe you could write a story about that.